STRATFORD - That the Stratford Community dinner theater is a huge success cannot be argued. Tickets for this year's performance went on sale Dec. 1 - and were sold out hours later. Even the director, Kristi Brunes, couldn't get extra tickets. Which begs the question: what makes the 15-year-old Stratford tradition such a success? "Beats me," joked Brunes. "If you find out, let me know." Perhaps it's the attention to detail. The 14 large round dining tables are covered with white linen cloths, decorated with centerpieces and fancy china cups and saucers. (This year, the flowered cups were replaced with Styrofoam, a fact which elicited several negative comments from the audience.) Each table has an attentive waiter who keeps the wine glass full and dirty dishes whisked away. This year, the waiters were all sporting red bandannas, reflecting the western theme of the play, "The Taming of Judge Roy Bean." "We never try to take the easy way," said Brunes. Of course, it might be the fact that event is a good value. Ticket prices were $25 for a homemade meal and an evening's entertainment. First they fill your belly and then make it ache from laughing. "We always pick a funny play," said Brunes. The show ran from Feb. 29 to March 15. Part of the action Maybe the fundraiser is such a success because the audience feels part of the action. "We don't take ourselves too seriously and we bring the audience right along with us," said Brunes. It could be the fact that it's a community effort. Posted on a bulletin board outside the theater were several copies of the recipe for the dessert. Willing Stratford cooks whip up the frothy chocolate confection, donating a multitude of pans each evening for the supper. Or is it because so much of the money raised goes right back into the community? This year, they gave away four college scholarships and a nightly $100 donation to the charity of choice for one audience member. "This year, the South Dakota State Legislature presented us with a See THEATER, Page 8C Theater: Continued from Page 1C commendation for our contribution to the town and surrounding area," said Brunes. Experience certainly could be one reason the event is an unarguable hit. Several of the actors have been on board since the very beginning, making them as well-seasoned as the pork supper. Teri Koch, who played the part of Gilda, a Texas love broker, has been involved on and off for seven years. "I initially did it to get to know people in the community," she said, "but now it's because there's nothing else like it. You get dinner, entertainment and wine for what it would cost to go to a movie." Lots of effort "I don't think people realize how much goes into this," said Koch. "We start practicing the end of December, two nights a week for 2-3 hours per night. Each night after the play is done we have to clean up everything, the floor and the tables. The linens are taken home and washed and brought back." Like Christmas, the Stratford Dinner Theater has become a tradition for a lot of people. Entire families fill several of the round tables. "I always ask how far away people live," said Brunes. "Most are from Ipswich, Redfield, Aberdeen and Groton, but we've gotten some from as far away as Minneapolis-St. Paul. One person from California came out just to see the play and said they'd be back next year." Tradition, hard work, good value, community participation, experience and attention to detail all combine to make this annual sold-out event a rare commodity. To receive information about next year's show, call Brunes at (605) 226-1305 or send an e-mail to jschley@nvctv.com.